Family Law Section

Family Law Section Update

By Lindsay H. Childs, Esq., Chair

Since the start of the year, the Family Law Section has been focused on providing quality programming at our monthly lunch meetings, collaborating with other sections and committees, integrating the MBA’s Wellness Initiative, and exploring sponsorship opportunities.

We began on January 5th with an informational session from our new President Judge, the Honorable Carolyn T. Carluccio, and the new Administrative Judge of Family Court, the Honorable Daniel J. Clifford, who both spoke about the state of family court in Montgomery County. They were able to provide updates on staffing changes, judge assignments, and procedures for conferences and trials.

Our next meeting was held on February 2nd, which featured a CLE presentation on “Addiction Issues in Family Law.” The panel consisted of the Honorable Kelly C. Wall, Dr. V. Richard Roeder, and therapist Sean Smith. The speakers helped identify appropriate testing and evaluation methods, reliable therapies, and common remedies for parents and spouses dealing with substance abuse issues in their cases. The meeting was sponsored by Soberlink (Mike Fonseca).

On March 2nd, Ken Feinman from CrossCountry Mortgage and real estate agent Pam Butera spoke about “Real Estate and Mortgages – What Family Lawyers Need to Know.” Moderated by Anita Seth, Esq., the program focused on updating members about the current real estate market and mortgage industry, so that we can advise our clients about realistic outcomes with the sale or refinance of the marital home and include appropriate language in agreements and pleadings that will best protect our clients.

Our April meeting was another CLE program, featuring Matthew Morley, Esq., from KLM Attorneys and moderated by Inna Materese, Esq. Attorney Morley spoke about “Best Practices in Drafting, Implementing and Enforcing Qualified Domestic Relations Orders.” The meeting was sponsored by ARCPoints Labs in King of Prussia (Rob and Mary Sykes). And the Section heard from member Peter Bort, Esq., about his mindfulness practice, specifically about how to take advantage of your circadian rhythm to maximize your health and happiness.

On May 4th, the Family Law Section hosted an ethics CLE program that was a collaboration with the Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Committee. Moderated by Kelley M. Fazzini, Esq., the panel consisted of the Honorable A. Nicole Tate-Phillips, Luz Denise Negron-Bennett, Esq., and Rebecca Levin Nayak, Esq. The program was titled “Bias and Barriers in Family Law,” and the speakers discussed the many kinds of implicit bias, how it creates barriers for clients in family court, and what resources are available to deal with it.

Most recently, on June 1st, Elizabeth Early, Esq., led a Q & A session with the newest Hearing Officer in Support, Jennifer Hekking, Esq. She addressed her policies and procedures for both simple and complex support hearings, and how she applies the law in certain factual issues that frequently arise in support matters.

The Family Law Section is looking forward to hosting a social event over the summer (details to come), in furtherance of the Wellness Initiative. And we welcome any new members (or nonmembers) to attend our future meetings, which are typically held on the first Wednesday of the month at noon.